Phonak

Virto Marvel 50 Hearing Aids

Phonak have now introduced the full range of their new Virto M 50 in the ear products. The range will include a Marvel Titanium, two Marvel CIC devices, one with a size 10 battery and the other with a size 312, a Bluetooth enabled In The Canal/Half Shell model powered by a 312 battery and the Virto Black, basically the same as the 312 In The Canal/Half Shell model but with a black case.

Only the Virto Black 50 and the Virto 312 50 In The Canal/Half Shell device will have the full Marvel functionality including the amazing connectivity. The other devices will not have connectivity. I think that raises a conundrum, at least for me. I don't see any point in upgrading to a Marvel Virto from earlier Phonak Virto products unless I am getting the amazing connectivity.

Obviously, that is a question for you rather than me, but if you are after one of the invisible versions, think about it carefully.

We would expect the range to be sold at prices from £1100.00 to £1400.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1400.00 to €1800.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1500.00 to $1900.00 in the USA.

The Models

Meet The Audeo Marvel 50 Hearing Aids

Phonak Made For Any Phone

This is their latest range of Standard level Receiver In Canal Made For Any Phone hearing aids. The devices have been exceptionally successful since their release. Phonak rolled out an upgrade to the devices during the summer of 2019 which they called Marvel 2.0. It increased the functionality of the devices and delivered a direct connection to Roger devices.

Phonak

Audeo Marvel 50 Hearing Aids

The Marvel Audeo 50 family is made up of five hearing aids of which two are rechargeable. The smallest traditional Zinc Air battery size is the 312.

Multi-functional and Feature Rich Hearing Aids

These hearing devices are hugely multi-functional and feature-rich. The Audeo Marvel range contains probably every single one of the current headline features in the hearing aid world, and Phonak has even thrown in some new ones, here’s the quick list:

• Stereo Bluetooth streaming: Stereo streaming from any Bluetooth enabled device, that means iPhone, iPad, laptops, computers, Macs, Android phones, Windows phones, hell any Bluetooth-enabled phone.
• Real Hands-free calling in stereo: Like the Audeo B-direct, the Marvel offers true hands-free calling from Bluetooth-enabled phones and VOIP services like Skype, except, to both hearing aids.
• TV Streaming: Marvel can stream directly from Bluetooth-enabled TVs, and can also stream from the Phonak TV Connector accessory.
• Rechargeability: They say both Marvel rechargeables will deliver a full day of hearing aid use from a single charge.
• Remote adjustments: Marvel hearing aids can be adjusted remotely by your hearing expert.
• New App Eco-System: Brand new apps to make life easier and engage the consumer in the process.
• RogerDirect: This is really fascinating, for the first time, users will be able to stream from Roger devices directly to their hearing aids.
• Full Phonak Feature Set: The Marvel will offer full and up to date inter-ear features.

Audeo Marvel 50 Prices

We would expect the range to be sold at prices from £1100.00 to £1400.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1400.00 to €1800.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1500.00 to $1900.00 in the USA.

The Audeo Marvel 50 Hearing Aid Models

Meet The Bolero Marvel 50 Hearing Aids

Phonak

Bolero Marvel 50 Range

The Bolero Marvel 50 range is the latest standard or lower-mid level range of Behind The Ear hearing aids from Phonak. It consists of just two hearing aid models, The Bolero Marvel 50 M and the Bolero Marvel 50 PR. Both devices really only cover hearing losses up to moderate to severe. The Bolero Marvel 50 range shares all of the great features and technology that the Audeo Marvel 90 offers.

Bolero Marvel Hearing Aid Prices

We would expect the Bolero Marvel 50 range to be sold at prices from £1100.00 to £1400.00 in the UK depending on the Practice and location. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from €1400.00 to €1800.00 in Ireland. We would expect the range to be sold at prices from $1500.00 to $1900.00 in the USA.

Bolero Marvel 50 M

The Bolero Marvel 50 M is a pretty discrete mini BTE with a multi-functional button, not unlike the button used on the Audeo. The M can be fitted with a slim tube (which you can see above) or an ear hook for traditional tubing and ear mould. The M will cover hearing losses down to 75 dB in the low to 95 dB in the high frequencies. That, of course, depends on configuration, with the slim tube fitted, that reduces to 80 to 85 dB in the high frequencies. The M has all of the features of the Marvel platform with a direct connection to any Bluetooth mobile phones and  Roger devices. However, the M does not have a telecoil onboard so a connection to a Loop System is out.

Bolero Marvel 50 PR

The Bolero Marvel 50 PR is slightly larger than the M, but it is still relatively discrete. It uses the same multi-functional button as the smaller M. The PR is a  lithium-ion powered rechargeable hearing aid can be fitted with a slim tube (which you can see above) or an ear hook for traditional tubing and ear mould. The PR will cover hearing losses down to 80 dB in the low to 100 dB in the high frequencies. That, of course, depends on configuration, with the slim tube fitted, that reduces to 70 in the low and 90 dB in the high frequencies.

The PR has all of the features of the Marvel platform with a direct connection to any Bluetooth mobile phones and  Roger devices. It also has a telecoil onboard so it can be used to connect to a Loop System. Phonak say that you will get a full day of use out of one charge and use time is similar to the Audeo.

Phonak Marvel 50 Hearing Aid Features and Programmes

Phonak Marvel 50 hearing aids recognise and automatically adapt to more of your listening situations than ever before. The range will run on the new improved AutoSense OS 3.0. At this level of technology, the aids have three automatic programmes that seamlessly blend together to give you the best hearing possible. You also get five extra manual programs to work with for maximum fine tuning for different situations.

Made For Any Phone

While Made For iPhone hearing aids are well established, Phonak decided to go a different way with their mobile phone connectivity. They chose one that would give them a direct connection to any mobile phone. Phonak relied on the traditional Bluetooth protocol, which offered huge benefits. It meant that any hearing aid they produced would be technically able to connect to any Bluetooth enabled device, not just phones. That strategy also presented real technical difficulties. The first Made For Any Phone hearing devices did not offer stereo audio streaming of phone calls or any other audio. It also ensured that Phonak's quite famous ear to ear features did not work.

A New System, No Limits

The new Marvel platform does not have any of those limitations. The Marvel will allow users to experience stereo streaming audio from any Bluetooth enabled device, that includes most mobile phones available, computers, even some modern TVs. Marvel users can have that audio streaming with the full benefits of Phonak's ear to ear features (Binaural Voice Streaming Technology BVST for short). That all means an outstanding new hearing aid platform with no limitations.

More Than Just Audio Connection

The Bluetooth connection is being used for more than just audio streaming though. They will also use that same connection for data exchange between the mobile phone and the hearing aids. This ability offers much more benefits for consumers and professionals alike. The data exchange is the core of the new ability to remotely fine-tune the hearing aids in real-time and for the user to give day to day feedback with the new Hearing Diary. 

Remote Fine Tuning

The new remote fine-tuning system is excellent, a video calling system gives the same feeling of face to face interaction, just in a different way. While the remote support may not be for everyone, I think it will be welcomed by people who see it as a real alternative to in-clinic appointments

Speech To Text

They have also introduced a new speech to text app with the new products. The new app acts as a transcription system which allows users to read what is being said by the person on the other end of the phone. It works in real-time and thanks to hands-free phone calling you can carry on the conversation while you read the dialogue. The app will allow people with hearing loss extra help to understand people on their mobile phone.

RogerDirect Arrives

Phonak's Roger system is the Gold Standard in FM assistive devices for people with hearing loss. All Marvel hearing aids can now be upgraded to Marvel 2.0 so that the new RogerDirect™ system can be added to the hearing aids allowing Roger microphone equipment to stream directly to Marvel hearing aids without having to attach an external receiver. That is something special and it provides even better benefit for people in complex sound environments.

Stereo Bluetooth streaming

Marvel will directly stream stereo audio from any device capable of streaming audio via Bluetooth. This includes almost any device you can think of. You can connect it directly to your Android phone; you can connect it directly to your Mac Book or Windows laptop. You can even connect it directly to any Bluetooth enabled television. That is pretty amazing, that is a direct connection without any streamer. The quality of streaming audio is excellent; audio is full and clear. Music is warm and full, and phone calls are clear.

True Hands-Free Calling

The Marvel delivers true hands-free calling in stereo. You will hear your phone calls in both ears giving you a better chance at understanding what is being said. Hands-free means you don't need to touch your phone. Your phone can be up to thirty feet away. You simply hit the button on your hearing aid to answer the call.  

Versatile TV Streaming

While the Marvel hearing aids will connect directly to Bluetooth enabled TVs, Phonak has also introduced a new TV Streamer. The TV streamer allows low energy streaming offering great audio and reduced battery usage.

Phonak PartnerMic

The PartnerMic is an easy-to-use, lapel worn microphone for one-to-one conversations in more complex sound environments. The device uses Phonak AirStream™ technology, which streams clear speech direct to Marvel hearing aids.

Where can you use it?

Pretty much anywhere that you want to hear your conversation partner clearly. So it is ideal for restaurants, pubs, busy cafes, the car, you name it.

Easy to set up and use

Phonak have made the device really simple to set up, you pair the PartnerMic with the hearing aids by simply switch it on and holding it close to the hearing aids. That's it, it's paired. Once you have paired it, the device works automatically when you turn it on.

Your partner simply wears it and it delivers their voice, direct to your hearing aids at the best signal to noise ratio possible. That means that you get the optimum chance to understand what is being said. The device gives you:

• Up to 25-meter range between speaker and listener
• 6 hours of use
• 2 hours to recharge

Fully Featured Hearing Aids

As I said, these hearing aids aren't de-featured in any way. They include all of the latest Phonak features including their much-celebrated ear to ear features. They also have a brand new sound management system called Autosense 3.0 which recognises and automatically adapts to precisely match more listening situations than ever before. Autosense 3.0 also classifies streamed signals and will adapt how it works to better help you to hear the way you should.